[dropcap]A[/dropcap]n announcement today at the DeltaPlex Arena confirmed that the NBA Development League’s Springfield Armor have been purchased, and will be relocated to Grand Rapids, Mich., where they’ll begin competing as of the 2014-15 season.
The SSJ Group, led by Steve Jbara, has purchased the team, which will become a single-affiliate partner of the Detroit Pistons, whose management will share decision-making responsibilities with Jbara’s group.
“We’re pleased to be aligned with Steve Jbara and the new NBA D-League ownership group in Grand Rapids and we view our affiliation as an exciting opportunity for our organization,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. “This unique hybrid relationship gives our franchise the opportunity to impact this team from a business and basketball operations standpoint, provides a vehicle for developing our younger players and creates a platform for evaluating potential NBA talent. This is an initiative that was important to our owner, Tom Gores, and our basketball operations personnel. The NBA D-League is thriving and we’re excited to play our part in delivering basketball entertainment to the west side of the state.”
The relocation of the franchise has been speculated for a number of weeks now. The Armor’s current head coach, Doug Overton, was a second-round selection (40th overall) by the Pistons in the 1991 NBA Draft. The Massachusetts-based squad missed the playoffs this year, finishing 22-28. The team’s best year came in 2011-12, when the Armor finished top of the Eastern Division with a record of 29-21.
“The NBA D-League is becoming an integral part of the NBA’s future and, after two years of working to make it happen, we are ecstatic to have the opportunity to bring high-level, professional basketball to the Grand Rapids area,” Jbara said. “The media spotlight and increasing viewership will help continue the trend of exciting things happening in this region. We look forward to celebrating the strength of the existing community and positively impacting areas of focus through our NBA/D-League Cares initiatives.”
Fans can follow the club on Twitter and Instagram @grdleague and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grdleague, as well log onto www.grdleague.com for a chance to give input on the team’s nickname and enter to win season tickets.
First reported by Press Row Sports.
